Micrometric line spacer mechanism for typewriters



Jan. 6, 1942. F. GRAHAM 2,263,933

MICRDMETRIC LINE SPACER MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITEFRS Filed Aug. 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1;

INVENTOR.

Fig 11k LEraham.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 6, 1942. F, L, A A 2,268,933

' MICROMETRIC LINE SPACER-MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Aug. 21, 1939 Z SheetS-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

FI arLk'L. Graham. v

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 6, 1942 MICROMETRIC LINE SPACER MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Frank L. Graham, Olympia, Wash.

. Application August 21, 1939, Serial No. 231,253 1 1 Claims. {(Cl. 197114) The present invention relates to line spacer mechanism for typewriters and the primary object of the invention is to provide a variable line spacer mechanism whereby the paper may be accurately advanced any desired distance in accordance with the desired spacing between the typed lines, and the spacing readily and easily alteredat will by the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a micrometric line spacer mechanism for" typewriters whereby ruled forms of any spacing may be written upon without requiring the operator to sight locate each new line to be written thru adjustment of the platen by the hand knob.-

A further object is to provide mechanism ofthis character wherein the platen is automatically locked against movement in either direction at the full stroke position of the line space lever, and the platen free of the mechanism at the released position of the line space lever so as to be freely turned in either direction by hand for the insertion and aligning of the paper or form to be typed upon.

A still further object is to provide a variable line spacer device which may be installed as a unit upon conventional forms of typewriters, and which may be used in conjunction with the usual ratchet feed line spacer if desired. I V

A still further object is to provide a device of this character which is of extremely simple, yet durable construction, and employing novel cam acting means for rotating the platen variable'degrees in accordance with the desired line spacing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one end portion of a typewriter carriage frame provided with the line spacer mechanism.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same with portions of the carriage frame broken away and the line spacer in its normal or released position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section thru the spacer mechanism and end portion of the platen.

Figure 4 is a view substantially similar to Figure 3 but with portions of the line spacer in edge elevation.

Figure 5 is a detail view in side elevation of the line space adjusting means.

Figure 6"is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 5. I

Figure 7 is a side view of the line spacer showing the position of parts in their normal or released condition.

nFigure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but with the stop cam and its return spring omitted and showing the clutch release disc or plate.

Figure 9 is a view showing the drive cam in its normal or released position. .Figure 10 is a view showing the position of parts immediately prior 'to the completion of the line spacing movement and just prior to action of the stop means for locking the platen against further rotation.

Figure 11 is a view showing the position of parts at the completion orfull stroke movement of the line spacing mechanism, with the platen locked against rotation in either direction.

Figure 12 isa view showing the spacing washer or' disc which is disposed between the stop cam' and'clutch release disc or plate. In Figures 7, 10 and 11 this spacing disc 'has been omitted, and in Figure 11 the clutch release disc or plate also removed for better showing of the drive and stop'cams.

Referring to the drawings in detail and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout' the several views, the letter A may generally designate a conventional form of typewriter of the rotary platen type embodying the usualcarria'ge frame B in which is journaled the cylindricalplaten' P. The letter C designates as a whole, the variable line spacer mechanism including a clutch unit D associated with one end of the platen P and line space adjusting means E for controlling the degree of rotation of theplaten.

The platen P may be'journaled either by means of a shaft extending clear thru the platen, or by means-of a spindle 5 at each end of the platen, as in the example shown, in a bearing 6 in the endrail 1 of the carriage frame. The outer end of the spindle 5 may be provided with the usual hand wheel 8 whereby the platen may be turned for placing pap'erin the typewriter as in usual practice; 7

While in the example shown, the variable line spacer has been applied to the left end of the platen, this line spacer may be equallywell adapted for mounting at the right hand end of the platen. The regular ratchet feed spacer may be applied to the right hand end of the platen if desired, and when the platen is so equipped, the ratchet feed spacer may be thrown out of action when the variable line spacer is used.

Referring now to the clutch unit D, the same comprises a clutch drum ID formed with a flat disc-shaped mounting plate having an annular flange or rim |2 projecting to one side about its periphery and a tubular hub I3 axially of the plate and projecting to the opposite side of the plate. This tubular hub |3 forms a fixed mounting for the inner end of the spindle 5 whereby the spindle extends axially of the rim l2. The clutch drum preferably has an external diameter equal to that of the platen P and is secured to an end of the platen by means of screws or the like |4 countersunk into the mounting plate Thus the clutch drum Ill and spindle 5 are fixed to rotate with the platen.

Freely rotatable upon the spindle 5 within the drum I is a drive cam l formed with a control arm I 6 and a cam edge or face I! extending from one side of the arm in eccentric relation to the inner surface of the drum rim |2. Arranged to act with a clutch action between this cam edge l1 and the drum rim I2 is a tubular cam roll I8 having a thickness substantially equal to that of the cam |5. Slidably extended thru the arm I6 is a pin l9 which is normally extended against the. periphery of the cam roll |8 by a spring 26 acting between the arm l6 and a head on the pin.

Rotatable on a hub 2| of the drive cam I5 is a clutch release disc or plate 22 provided with substantially diametrically disposed notches or recesses 23 and 24 in its peripheral edge.

Disposed over the outer side of this release disc or plate 22 and rotatable on the spindle 5 is a thin disc-shaped spacing washer or disc 25 having a peripheral notch 26 and a small opening 21. Rotatable on the spindle 5 at the outside of the disc 25 is a stop cam 28 formed with a control arm 29 and a cam edge or face 3|] extending from one side of the arm in eccentric relation to the inner surface of the drum rim l2. As will be seen particularly in Figure 11, this cam face 30 is inopposite relation to the cam face Arranged to act with a clutch action between the cam face 39 and the drum rim I2 is a tubular cam roll 3| having a thickness substantially equal to that of the cam 28. A pin 32 slidably extends thru the arm 29 and is normally extended against the periphery of the cam roll 3| by a spring 33.

Disposed over the outer face of the stop cam 28 and securedv thereto as by screws or other suitable means 34 is a thin cover plate 35 which engages the outer edge of the drum flange i2 and forms a closure for the open side of the clutch drum.

The cam roll 3| is held in place between the cover plate 35 and spacing disc 25, while the cam roll l8 will be held in place between the drum plate H and the clutch release disc 22.

Secured at one end in the control arm l6 of the drive cam I5 is a crank pin 36 which projects outwardly from the clutch drum |0 thru the notches 23 and 26 of the release disc 22 and spacer disc 25 respectively, and also thru a notch 31 in the cover plate 35. This crank pin 36 is adapted for connection with the line space adjusting means E.

Mounted in the end rail 1 of the carriage frame B is a stop pin 38 which projects thru an opening 39 in the cover plate 35, thru the tubular cam roll 3|, thru the opening 21 in the spacer disc 25 and terminates at its inner end in the notch 24 of the release disc 22. This fixed stop pin 38 at its inner end is engaged by the stop edge 40 of the notch 24 and serves to limit clockwise rotation of the release disc 22. Secured at one end in the release disc 22' is a pin 4| which projects into the tubular cam roll l8 and against which pin the cam roll is held by the spring 20 when the line spacer is in released position. The cam roll 3| is held against the stop pin 38 when the line spacer is in released position.

Secured in the control arm 29 of the stop cam 28 is a stud 42 which projects thru the cover plate 35 and forms attachment for one end of a return coil spring 43 having its opposite end secured to a stud 44 mounted in the carriage frame end rail 7. Arranged within the coil spring 43 is a rod 45 which acts to limit return movement of the stop cam 28 by the return spring 43.

Referring now to the line space adjusting means E, the same comprises a drive link 46 which is pivoted at one end upon the crank pin 36 and extends forwardly from the clutch drum substantially parallel to the carriage end rail 1. Pivoted at its elbow upon the end rail 1 as by a pivot 41 is a bell crank line spacing lever providing a hand lever 48 and a crank arm 49, the latter being pivotally connected with the forward end of the drive link 46 as by a pivot 50. A torsion spring 5| acts to normally return the bell crank spacer lever to its normal position and exert a forward pull on the drive link 46 whereby the drive cam is in normal released position as in Figures '7 and 9. When the line space lever handle is swung to the right, the link 46 moves rearward and imparts rotation to the clutch unit D.

Pivoted upon the crank pin 36 is a stop adjustment plate 52 arranged for vertical swinging movement at one side of the drive link 46 and retained against lateral swinging by means of a pin 53 on the drive link operating in an arcuate slot 54 in the adjustment plate. Provided along the lower edge of the plate 52 is a flange 55 forming an inclined cam face movable across the cover plate 35 upon movement of the drive link 46. A coil spring 56' connected between the free end of the plate 52 and the drive link 46 serves to normally swing the plate 52 upward. Provided adjacent the free end of the plate 52 is a stop flange 56 against which the lower end of a line space adjusting screws 51 abuts for limiting upward swinging of the plate 52 by the spring 56. This screw 51 is threaded thru a lug 58 on the drivelink 46 and is provided with a knurled'lock nut 59 for retaining the screw in its adjusted position. Thus, as the screw 51 is threaded down thru the lug 58, the free end of the plate 52 will be swung down and increase the angle of inclination of the cam face 55.

Mounted in the stop cam 28 and extending thru the cover plate 35 is a roller stud 69 which is engaged by the inclined cam face 55 to apply a brake action to the platen at the completion of the line spacing movement. The position of the adjustment plate 52 will govern the time at which rotation of the platen is stopped and consequently the spacing between lines on the paper. As will be observed, adjustment of the thumb screw 51 governs the time when the inclined cam face 55 engages the roller stud 6|] in the stop cam 23 and thus governs the line spacing movement.

In operation,.with'the mechanism in the normal position as in Figures 2 and '7, it will be seen that the stop cam 28 is in released position bythe action of the return spring 43 and that return action of the stopcam is limited by the rod 45 in the return spring. The plunger pin 32 is holding thecam roll 3| against the stop pin 38 with the cam roll 3| out of gripping contact with the cam edge 30. 'I'hetorsion spring 5I thru its return actionon the actuating lever 48 and forward pull on the drive link 46 rotates the drive cam I5 to a released position as in Figure 9 with the plunger pin I9 urging the cam roll I8 against the pin M on the clutch release disc 22 and causing the stop edge 40 of the clutch release disc to bear against the stop pin. 38 and limit rotation of the release disc; With the cam rolls I8 and 3| out of gripping contact with their respective cam edges I1 and 30 no clutching action is formed between the platen P and the line spacing mechanism C so that the platen may be freely rotated in either direction by the hand wheel 8 .for insertion and lining of paper. Sufiicient tension is provided by the action of the usual feed rolls and paper clamps upon the platen to prevent rotation of the platen while typing.

When rearward movement is imparted to the I drive link 46 by the lever 48, initial movement of the drive cam I5 by the drive link causes the cam roll I8 to be gripped between the cam edge I1 and the clutch drum rim I2 whereby the platen and clutch drum are rotated to the position in Figure 10. The position of parts in Figure is just prior to the completion of the line spacing movement of the platen. As the drive link 46 moves rearward, the inclined cam face 55 of the adjustment plate 52 contacts the roller stud 60 on the stop cam 28 and rotates the stop cam to the position in Figure 11 against the action of the return spring 43 whereby the cam roll 3| is gripped between the cam edge 30 and the clutch drum rim I 2, thus locking the platen against further rotation in a line spacing direction. As will be seen in Figur 11, the oppositely acting cam rolls I8 and 3I are bothin gripping contact with the clutch rim I 2, thus preventing rotation of the platen in either direction. Upon releasing the actuating lever 48, the springs 5I and 43 return the line spacing mechanism to its normal position with both cam rolls I8 and 3| free of any gripping action with the clutch drum I0.

Downward adjustment of the stop adjustment plate 52 will cause the inclined cam face 55 to engage the roller stud 60 upon less movement of the drive link 46 and thus lessen the degree of rotation of the platen and consequently reduce the spacing between lines.

Changes in detail may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A line spacing mechanism for typewriter platens, comprising a clutch unit upon one end of the platen embodying a drive cam and a stopcam acting in opposed relation upon the platen. to

that of the drive cam, a clutch element for each cam normally free ofany clutching action for clutching each cam to the platen, actuating means for actuating the drive cam for causing a a clutching action of the clutch element of the drive cam to the platen to thereby impart line spacing movement to the platen, and adjusting means on the actuating means and operating the stop cam subsequent to the actuation of .the drive cam for causing a clutching action of the clutch element of the stop cam to the platen for stopping movement of the platen.

2. A line spacer mechanism for typewriter platens, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon an end of the platen, a drive cam in the drum, a cam roll co-acting with the drive cam and drum for imparting rotation from the former to the latter, actuating means for the drive cam, a stop cam in the drum and acting in opposed relation to thedrive cam, acam roll co-acting with thestop cam and drum for stopping rotation of the clutch drum, and adjusting means carried by the actuating means and acting upon the stop cam for operation thereof subsequent to the actuation of the drive cam.

- 3. A. line spacer mechanism for typewriter platens, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon one end of the platen, a drive cam pivoted in the drum and having a cam face, a cam roll acting between the cam face and drum, actuating means for the drive cam for imparting line spacing movement to the platen, a stop cam pivoted in the drum and having a cam face in opposed relationtto the cam face of the drive cam, a cam roll acting between the cam face of the stop cam and the drum for applying a bra-king action to the platen, release means normally freeing the cam rolls from their respective cams, adjusting means on the actuating means, and means on the stop cam engageable by the adjusting means for causing a clutching action of the cam roll of the stop cam in timed relation to the clutching action of thecam rolls of the drive cam for stopping line spacing movement of the platen.

' 4. A line spacer mechanism for typewriter platens, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon one end of the platen, a spindle fixed in the drum, a drive cam free on the spindle, a normally free clutch element acting between the drive cam and drum, a stop cam free on the spindle and acting in opposed relation'to the drive cam, a normally free clutch element acting between the stop .cam and drum, release means including a release disc acting to normally 'hold the clutch elementv of the drive, cam disengaged from the drive cam, a drive link connected to the drive cam for imparting rotation thereto and causing engagement therewith. its clutch element, and adjustable means on the drive link operatively engaging the stop cam for causing engagement of its clutch element subsequent to the engagement of the drive cam clutch element.

5. A line spacer mechanism for typewriter platens, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon one end of the platen, a spindle fixed in the drum, a drive cam free on thespindle, a normally free clutch element acting between the drive cam and drum, a stop 'cam free on the spindle and acting in opposed relation to the drive cam, a normally free clutch element acting between the stop cam and drum, release means including a release disc acting to normally hold the clutch eleinent of the drive cam free of clutching action between the drive cam and drum, a stud on the stop cam, actuating means including a drive link connected to the drive cam for imparting rotation thereto and causing clutching action of its clutch element, and an adjustable stop plate on the drive link having an inclined cam face engageable with said stud for actuating the stop cam and causing clutching action of its clutch element subsequent to the clutchingaction of the drive cam clutch element.

6. In a line spacing device for typewriters including a platen frame and a platen journaled in the frame, a clutch drum fixed upon one end of the platen, a drive cam in the drum, a stop cam in the drum in opposed relation to the drive cam, clutch elements acting between the cams and the drum, yieldable return means connected between the stop cam and platen frame and normally freeing the stop cam from its clutch element, release means normally freeing the drive cam from its clutch element, a drive link for actuating the drive cam with a line spacing action, and co-acting means between the drive link and stop cam for actuating the latter with a platen stopping action subsequent to the actuation of the drive cam.

7. A line spacing device for platens of typewriters, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon an end of the platen, a drive clutch and a stop clutch for the drum operating in opposed relation thereon, release means normally retaining the clutches released from the drum, a crank pin on the drive clutch, a roller stud on the stop clutch, a drive link connected to the crank pin for actuating the the drive clutch, and adjustable means on the drive link engageable with said stud for actuating the stop clutch subsequent to the drive clutch and thereby regulating the line spacing movement of the platen.

8. A line spacing device for platens of typewriters, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon an end of the platen, a drive clutch and a stop clutch for the drum operating in opposed relation thereon, release means normally retaining the clutches released from the drum, line spacer actuating means connected with the drive clutch, a stud on the stop clutch, and an inclined cam plate on the line spacer actuating means engageable with said stud for actuating the stop clutch subsequent to the actuation of the drive clutch .and thereby governing the degree of rotation of I the platen by the drive clutch.

9. A line spacing device for platens of typewriters, comprising a clutch drum fixed upon an end of the platen, a drive clutch and a stop clutch for the drum operating in op posed relation thereon, release means normally retaining the clutches released from the drum, a crank pin on the drive clutch, a roller stud on the stop clutch, a drive link connected to the crank pin for actuating the drive clutch, an adjustable plate pivoted on the drive link having an inclined cam face engageable with said roller stud for actuating the stop clutch subsequent to the actuation of the drive clutch, and means for adjusting said plate to vary the angle of inclination of its cam face and thereby regulate the line spacing movement of the platen.

10. In a variable line spacer for platens of typewriters, a clutch unit including a clutch drum fixed to an end of the platen, a drive cam in the drum having a cam face, a stop cam in the drum having a cam face disposed in opposed relation to the cam face of the drive cam, a cam roll acting between each cam face and the drum, means normally holding the drive and stop cams released from their respective cam rolls, actuating means for the drive cam for rotating the platen, and adjustable means associated with the actuating means for operating the stop cam and stopping rotation of the platen after predetermined movement by the drive cam and thereby governing the line spacing movement of the platen.

11. In a clutch unit for typewriter platens, a clutch drum including a mounting plate and an annular rim, a spindle fixed in the plate axially of the rim, a drive cam free on the spindle and having a cam edge, a tubular cam roll acting between the cam edge and rin a stud on the drive cam for actuation thereof, a stop cam free on the spindle and having a cam edgein opposed relation to the cam edge of the drive cam, a tubular cam roll acting between the cam edge of the stop cam and the rim, an actuating stud on the stop cam for actuating the stop cam subsequent to actuation of the drive cam, and means normally holding the cam rolls released from their respective cams.

FRANK L. GRAHAM. 

